Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham

You know when you have those cooking epiphanies? When something comes out delicious and it was ridiculously easy? There might even be the faint sound of angels singing and a heavenly glow….oh wait, that’s just the kitchen blow torch. Either way, this Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham is going to make us feel all those things and we get to use the blow torch.

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So what’s the big difference between a traditional spiral ham and an instant pot ham? Time, mostly. There’s also something about pressure cooking with a flavorful liquid that helps infuse those flavors into the meat/whatever your cooking. Here’s why you’re going to love this Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham:

It cooks for 15 minutes. Fifteen! Ok yes, the IP does need a few minutes to get up to pressure before the clock starts but it’s over before you even know it.

Simple Ingredients

Bourbon – I mean c’mon…

After cooking you can either crisp up the glaze under the broiler or have some fun (and save some time) by breaking out your kitchen blow torch.

We’re just a few short steps to having tender ham infused with bourbon, cider and close and a crispy sweet glaze ready to go.

Tools for Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham

Besides ingredients there isn’t a whole lot you need to make this recipe a success. Let’s start with the basics.

Why the 8 quart? Well to accommodate a roughly 7 to 8 lb ham, you’ll need the space. You could certainly use a small model but you’ll need a smaller ham, scaling it back to a quarter spiral while this one uses a half spiral.

There are two popular models out right now. The traditional 7-in-1 Instant Pot and the upgraded, digital screen, 10-in-1 Instant Pot. Both will get the job done, the traditional model runs much cheaper but doesn’t offer all the same capabilities as the newer upgrade.

Either model will be used in the pressure cooker setting on high pressure. This will cook the meat under pressure to infuse the flavor. The spiral ham will come already cooked so we’re not really ‘cooking it’ so much as infusing and heating.

If you’re ready to step into some fun stuff, get a blow torch. Don’t worry, you’re not going to need a mask and gloves or anything. Maybe just wait to start throwing back the glasses of wine until the meal is served though.

Besides this ham it’s great for other culinary creations like making some no-bake s’mores without the campfire or toasting up some meringue garnish on your gingerbread eggnog.

This kitchen blow torch is the one I use. It’s easy to operate, inexpensive, has a safety button, and you can increase or decrease the amount of flame. Just make sure you also pick up some fuel to go with it.

Using the blow torch is a great option to crisp up the outer edges of the ham without the risk of drying out the meat under the broiler. Just rub with the ‘slurry’ of cider, brown sugar and clove, turn on your torch and have some fun!

No Blow Torch Method

Fire not your thing? Not enough time to Amazon Prime your torch? No sweat. You can crisp up that sweet bourbon glaze under the broiler. You’ll just need to remember to preheat the broiler while the ham is cooking.

But if you’re ready to get a main dish on the table without having to even turn on the oven, you can do it in just minutes. Kick back, relax or run around getting all the other things on your list done. This Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham will just be one less of them.

Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham

Description

You’ll never make traditional ham again! Instant Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon Ham has a sweet, crunchy glaze and lots of sweet and warming flavors baked right in that takes just minutes to cook.

Ingredients

7-8 pound spiral cut ham, pre cooked

3/4 cup bourbon, divided

1 cup + 1 tablespoon apple cider, divided

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar, divided

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon ground clove, divided

Instructions

Place the ham in a dish or on a tray with a lipped edge. In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup bourbon, 1/4 cup apple cider, 1 cup packed brown sugar, the dijon mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon clove. Once combined, rub it over the ham and in between the layers.

In the liner/pan of an 8-quart Instant Pot, pour 3/4 cup cider and 1/4 cup bourbon. Transfer the ham to the Instant Pot and any juices that may have collected on the dish or tray. Close the lid and set the Instant Pot on manual ‘Pressure Cooker’ for 15 minutes on high pressure . Make sure the release valve is sealed.

After cooking manually release and transfer the ham to a dish or tray with a lip. In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider, and 1/4 teaspoon close. The mixture should be a slurry-type thickness. Rub the brown sugar slurry all over the ham. Using a kitchen blow torch, caramelize the glaze on the outside of the ham.

Traditional broiler method: Preheat the broiler on high while the ham is cooking. Line a baking sheet or dish with a lipped edge with foil. Spray the foil with cooking spray or rub lightly with oil. After the Instant Pot releases pressure and is safe to open, transfer the ham to the foil. Rub with the glaze and broil o n high for 5 to 10 minutes.

Keywords: bourbon ham, how to cook ham in a pressure cooker, easy Christmas or Easter Dinner.

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Gah! So happy you're here. I'm Lauren, welcome to Hunger Thirst Play! On this particular piece of Internet real estate you'll find seasonally inspired recipes from my New England kitchen. A born and bred Massachusetts girl, I believe a well balanced life involves apple picking, summers at the beach, and iced coffee in the dead of winter. Read More…